Sutera plant named ‘DANOVA886’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Sutera cordata  plant named ‘DANOVA886’ particularly characterized by 5-petalled flowers, measuring 2.3 cm in diameter and violet-blue in color with a yellow colored throat; semi-trailing, compact growth habit; early flowering response; and suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination planters and ground cover under full sunlight-and slight shade.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Sutera cordata.

Variety denomination: ‘DANOVA886’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sutera plant, botanically known as Sutera cordata, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DANOVA886’.

Sutera, of the Scrophulariaceae family, consists of annuals which are grown in most climate zones in the U.S., and only in zones 9 and 10 if it is a perennial plant.

The new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Sutera variety with branched, semi-trailing growth habit and large, violet-blue flowers.

The new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ originated from open pollination by an unknown Sutera cordata cultivar of the unpatented female/seed parent, Sutera cordata designated cv. 6-393, in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2006, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2006 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ by vegetative tip cuttings was first performed in March 2007 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DANOVA886’, which in combination distinguish this Sutera as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. 5-petalled flowers, measuring 2.3 cm in diameter and         violet-blue in color with a yellow colored throat;     -   2. Semi-trailing, compact growth habit;     -   3. Early flowering response; and     -   4. Suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination         planters and ground cover under full sunlight-and slight shade.

Plants of the new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ differ from plants of the female/seed parent, Sutera cordata designated cv. 6-393 (unpatented), in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent New Cultivar cv. 6-393 Characteristic ‘DANOVA886’ (unpatented) Flower color Violet-blue Purple Flower size Large Medium Growth habit Semi-trailing Trailing

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ is Sutera cordata ‘DANCOP29’ (unpatented, pending U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/383,772). Plants of the new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ differ from plants of Sutera ‘DANCOP29’, in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar ‘DANCOP29’ New Cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘DANOVA886’ No.12,684) Growth habit Semi-trailing Trailing Flower color Violet-blue Light Blue Plant height Medium Low

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘DANOVA886’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DANOVA886’ in a hanging planter, at 3 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flowers, buds and leaves of ‘DANOVA886’, at 3 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sutera ‘DANOVA886’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants were grown in a partially shaded (up to 50%) greenhouse, at temperatures between 16° C. (night) to 30° C. (day). A balanced fertilizer was provided with each watering, at levels of 100-150 ppm N.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 3 months.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Sutera cordata. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Sutera cordata designated cv. 6-393             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Open Pollination by unknown Sutera             cordata cultivar. -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight or slight shade.         -   Temperature.—Day: 20° C. to 24° C. Night: 16° C. to 20° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of             about 5° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 30°             C.         -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of 100-150             ppm Nitrogen.         -   Growth regulators.—Unnecessary. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tip cuttings of side shoots.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fine, fibrous roots.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 7 to 10 days at 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 14 days at 20° C. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: About 15 cm. Spread:             About 50 cm.         -   Shape.—Semi-trailing, compact growth habit.         -   Vigor.—Strong.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Crop time.—About 6 to 8 weeks for a flowering pot.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Lateral branches:

TABLE 3 Branch characteristic Primary Secondary Quantity Per Plant About 6 About 50 Length About 60 cm. About 30 cm. Diameter About 2 mm. About 1 mm. Aspect: About 90° About 45° Internode Length About 2 cm. About 1.5 cm. Texture Velvety Velvety Pubescence Slightly pubescent Slightly pubescent Color Green, RHS 137B Green, RHS 137C

-   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement and attachment.—Opposite, petiolate.         -   Leaf length.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Leaf width.—About 2.0 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Ovate.         -   Apex shape.—Acute.         -   Base shape.—Acuminate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Texture.—Upper Surface: Slightly velvety. Under Surface:             Slightly velvety.         -   Pubescence.—Upper Surface: Slightly pubescent. Under             Surface: Slightly pubescent.         -   Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: Green, RHS 137A. Under             Surface: Green, RHS 137B.         -   Color of immature leaf.—Upper Surface: Green, RHS 137A.             Under Surface: Green, RHS 137B.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS             137A. Under Surface: Green, RHS 137A.         -   Petiole.—Length: About 5.0 mm. Diameter: About 2.0 mm.             Color: Green, RHS 137A.         -   Leaf fragrance.—None. -   Flower description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—All year round in moderate             climate. Flowering occurs between January and December             outdoors in Israel.         -   Flowering response time.—About 5 weeks from planting.         -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: Flowering of a single             flower lasts for 7 days.         -   Flower fragrance.—None.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 200.         -   Flower bud (about 2 days prior to opening).—Shape:             Spatulate. Length: About 10 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Texture: Velvety. Color: Violet-Blue, RHS 90D.         -   Flower type.—Solitary, auxillary.         -   Flower form.—Salverform.         -   Flower symmetry.—Radially symmetric.         -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.         -   Corolla size.—Diameter (spread): About 2.3 cm. Diameter at             lobes: About 2.3 cm. Overall flower height: About 10 mm.             Length of corolla tube: About 9 mm. Diameter of corolla             tube: About 4 mm.         -   Petals.—Quantity: 5. Length: About 9 mm. Width: About 8 mm.             Overall shape: Rounded and gameopetalous. Apex: Rounded.             Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture (upper & under             surfaces): Slightly velvety. Color: Upper surface, when             opening: Violet-Blue, RHS 90B. Upper surface, opened flower:             Violet-Blue, RHS 90C. Under Surface, when opening:             Violet-Blue, RHS 90D. Under Surface, opened flower:             Violet-Blue, RHS 90D. Corolla throat color: Yellow-Orange,             RHS 23A.         -   Calyx.—Sepals: Quantity: 5. Length: About 7 mm. Width: About             1 mm. Overall shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused.             Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Velvety. Under             Surface: Velvety. Upper surface color: Green, RHS 137D.             Under Surface color: Green, RHS 137D. Anthocyanin             pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent. Pedicel: Aspect: Slanted             upward. Length: About 11 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Angle:             About 45°. Texture: Velvety. Color: Green, RHS 137C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 4. Arrangement: Didynamous.             Type: Basifixed. Dehiscence of stamens: Extrorse. Color:             Yellow-Orange, RHS 17C. Anthers: Shape: Cylinder. Length:             About 1 mm. Color: Yellow-Orange, RHS 17C. Filaments:             Length: About 10 mm. Color: Yellow, RHS 2C. Pollen: Amount:             Moderate. Color: Yellow-Orange, RHS 17C. Pollination             requirements: Young, active pollen, and receptive, open             stigma.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Quantity: 1. Length: About 11 mm.             Stigma: Shape: Undulate. Width: About 1 mm. Color:             Yellow-Green, RHS 154 A. Style: Shape: Terete. Length: About             8 mm. Ovary: Shape: Ellipsoid Position: Superior. Length:             About 2 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Color: Green, RHS 137D. -   Seeds:     -   -   Quantity per fruit.—About 20.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Length.—About 1 mm.         -   Width.—About 0.5 mm.         -   Texture.—Rough.         -   Color.—Grayed-Orange, RHS 165B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Type.—Capsule.         -   Shape.—Ellipsoid.         -   Length.—About 5 mm.         -   Width.—About 2 mm.         -   Texture.—Rugose.         -   Color.—Grayed-Orange, RHS N166C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Good. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Low. 

1. A new and distinct Sutera cordata plant named ‘DANOVA886’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 